Theory of Leadership

 Excellent summary on leadership theory by Dr. Mandar Karhade, MD. PhD

https://pub.towardsai.net/leadership-in-ai-is-your-leadership-fit-for-datascience-d0e9296be2d6

Theories of Leadership

Before we go any further, let us go through some of the leadership theories that might be relevant to the discussion -

Great man theory

A popular concept in the 19th century, this theory asserts that you can’t develop leadership abilities — you either have them, or you don’t. The great man theory of leadership states that great leaders are born with all the right personality traits, such as intelligence, courage, confidence, intuition, and charm.

Trait theory

The trait theory of leadership states that certain natural qualities tend to create good leaders. Some leaders may be good listeners or communicators, but not every listener or communicator makes a good leader.

Behavioral theory

The behavioral theory of leadership focuses on how a person’s environment, not just natural abilities, condition a person to be a leader. It asserts that a person will be more likely to act or lead in a certain style as a result of environmental responses to behavior. Probably, the oversimplification of behavioral theory is that anyone can be a leader if they behave the way other leaders do.

Transactional or management theory

The transactional theory of leadership, also called “management theory,” states that leadership is a system of rewards and penalties. It views effective leadership as results-focused and hierarchical. Transactional leaders prioritize order and structure over creativity by rewarding someone who meets a goal and penalizing someone who doesn’t.

Transformational or relationship theory

The transformational theory of leadership states that effective leadership is the result of a positive relationship between leaders and team members. Transformational leaders motivate and inspire through their enthusiasm and passion. They are a model for their teams, emphasizing a collaborative work environment, diplomatic communication skills, and efficient delegation.

Situational theory

The situational theory of leadership does not relate to a certain type of leader or claim that any one style is best. Instead, it asserts that the best kind of leader is one who can adapt their style based on the situation. They may respond to a situation by commanding, coaching, persuading, participating, delegating, or however they think is necessary. Situational leaders are defined by their flexibility.